Download Climate Leadership Statement

 Climate Leadership Statement
We, the undersigned presidents and chancellors of colleges and universities, believe firmly
in the power, potential, and imperative of higher education’s key role in shaping a
sustainable society. Not only are we deeply concerned about the increasing pace and
intensity of global climate change and the potential for unprecedented detrimental impacts,
but we also understand that technology, infrastructure, global interconnectedness, and our
greatest asset – engaged, committed, smart students – allow us to explore bold and
innovative solutions and to lead in climate action and sustainable solutions.
We have begun to experience the effects of climate change in our communities and we
understand that these effects are projected to become more severe and damaging. We
recognize that mitigation and adaptation are complementary strategies for reducing the
likelihood of unmanageable change, managing the risks, and taking advantage of new
opportunities created by our changing climate.
We believe colleges and universities must exercise leadership in their communities and
throughout society by providing the knowledge, research, practice, and informed graduates
to create a positive and sustainable future. Along with other aspects of sustainability,
campuses that address the climate challenge by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and by
integrating resilience into their curriculum, research, and campus operations will better
serve their students and meet their social mandate to help create a vital, ethical, and
prosperous civil society.
We further believe that exerting leadership in addressing climate change will reduce our
long-term energy costs and the costs of climate disturbance, increase our quality of life,
attract excellent students and faculty, and build the support of alumni and local
communities.
We have resolved to take action in one of the following Climate Leadership Commitments.
We believe carbon neutrality and resilience are extremely high priority areas of action for all
institutions and we aim to lead the nation in these efforts. We urge others to join us in
transforming society towards a sustainable, healthy, and more prosperous future.
18 Tremont Street, STE 930, Boston, MA 02108
|
617.722.0036
|
[email protected]
Climate Commitment:
An integrated climate commitment including carbon
neutrality and resilience
1) Develop a com prehensive Clim ate Action Plan *
a. Within two months of signing this document, create internal institutional
structures to guide the development and implementation of the Plan
b. Within one year of the implementation start date, actively support a joint
campus-community task force (or equivalent) to ensure alignment of the Plan
with community goals and to facilitate joint action, and complete a
greenhouse gas emissions inventory, also identifying near term opportunities
for greenhouse gas reduction. Report these in the first annual evaluation of
progress
c. Within two years of the implementation start date, lead and complete an
initial campus-community resilience assessment including initial indicators
and current vulnerability
d. Within three years of the implementation start date complete the Plan, (also
reflecting joint community-campus components), which will include:
•
A target date for achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible
•
A target date by which defined thresholds of resilience will be met
•
Interim target dates for meeting milestones that will lead to carbon
neutrality and increasing resilience**
•
Mechanisms and indicators for tracking progress (including those
that cut across campus-community boundaries)
•
Actions to make carbon neutrality and resilience a part of the
curriculum and other educational experiences for all students
• Actions to expand research in carbon neutrality and resilience
e. Review, revise if necessary, and resubmit the climate action plan not less
frequently than every five years
2) Subm it an annual evaluation of progress
a. Within one year of the implementation start date, and every year thereafter,
complete an annual evaluation of progress
b. Make the action plan, annual evaluation of progress (including greenhouse
gas inventory, resilience assessment etc.), publicly available by submitting
them to Second Nature’s reporting system for posting and dissemination
18 Tremont Street, STE 930, Boston, MA 02108
|
617.722.0036
|
[email protected]
* The plan may be designed to augment an existing sustainability plan, written as part of a new
sustainability plan, or as a standalone plan. An online guide is available that provides information on
successful institutional structures, helpful templates on climate action plans, useful indicators of
progress, guidance for reporting and much more.
** Assistance for developing interim milestones and a number of example tangible actions are available
online and are regularly updated.
Signed,
President/Chancellor Signature
President/Chancellor Name
College or University Name
Date
Please send the signed commitment document to:
Second Nature,
18 Tremont St., Suite 930
Boston, MA 02108
18 Tremont Street, STE 930, Boston, MA 02108
Or scan & email to:
[email protected]
|
617.722.0036
|
[email protected]